Six-compartment tray



March 19, 1957 H. L. METZGER SIX-COMPARTMENT TRAY Filed May 10, 1954 INVENTOR. Henry L. Mezger; BY MM His Attorneys.

United States Fatent-G 2,785,844 SDi-COMPARTMENT TRAY Henry L. Metzger, Castleton-on-Hudson, N. Y., assignor to Fort Orange Paper Company, Castleton-on-Hudson, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application May 19, 1954, Serial No. 428,525 3 Claims. (Cl. 22923) The invention relates to improvements in trays, having particular reference to a type of tray made of a single blank of die-cut and preferably scored paper-board material, which, when folded and secured together in collapsed condition, is automatically erectable upon squaring to provide an elongated, rectangularly shaped, six-compartment tray, and the provision of such a tray is a principal object of the invention.

Generally, it is an object of the invention to provide such a tray that is economic of manufacture, compact in shipping in its collapsed form, and which automatically can be set-up to provide a six-compartment tray with speed, ease and facility.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide an elongated, rectangular six-compartment tray, made of a single blank of paper-board material, die-cut, folded around score lines, secured together and squared from collapsed to open tray position, the blank including an elongated strip having transverse fold or score lines providing opposite elongated side walls and shorter end walls secured at one corner by a connecting tab, the end walls each having inwardly extending panels at their bottom edges providing inner bottom wall sections for opposite end compartments of the tray, the panels each having upstanding panel flaps at their ends providing transverse partitions with a central aperture or slot therein, and the side walls each having inwardly extending panels at their bottom edges providing outer double bottom wall sections together with the inner bottom wall sections for end compartments, with single bottom wall sections for intermediate compartments, of the tray, and having triangular tabs connected to the inner bottom wallsections, the last named panels each having upstanding composite fiaps of oval-rectangular configuration to provide longitudinal partition sections, the rectangular portions thereof lying contiguous each other and providing a double wall to form the intermediate compartments, with the oval portions thereof extending in opposite directions, each through adjacent central apertures to provide opposite end compartments for the tray.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises an article of manufacture possessing the features, properties, and the relation of elements which will be exemplified in the article hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a single die-cut and scored blank;

Fig. 2 illustrates the blank of Fig. 1 over-folded upon itself with glue applied to the securing tabs prior to folding and securing the same in collapsed tray position;

Fig. 3 illustrates the blank of Fig. 2 so folded and secured in collapsed condition; and

Fig. 4 illustrates the tray after it has been squared into open from collapsed position.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, there is indicated generally at 14) a single die-cut and scored elongated blank of paper-board material for use in folding and securing the same into a six-compartment, rec-J tangularly shaped tray. The score lines illustrated throughout may be made in any suitable manner to provide ready lines of fold.

In its preferred embodiment the blank is divided into an elongated strip 11 having such score lines or transverse fold lines as the intermediate fold line 12 and outer fold iines 1.3 and 14, dividing the same into alternately arranged long and short panels respectively to provide side walls 15 and 16 and end walls 17 and 18. At one end of the strip is a glue flap or tab 19 defined by a score or fold line 20 for the purpose of securing the same to the opposite end of the strip when the same is overfolded, for example, along the fold lines 13 and 14.

The short panels 17 and 18 each have lateral extension panels 21 and 22 respectively on the same side of the strip 11 defined by coaxial fold lines 23 and 24 to provide inner bottom wall sections for opposite end compartments of the tray.

The extension panels 21 and 22 each terminate in a panel flap 25 and 26 which are defined by coaxial fold lines 27 and 28 in parallel spaced relation from the fold lines 23 and 24. The fold lines 27 and 28 are bisected by two apertures or slots indicated generally at 29 and 3% respectively. Preferably, such apertures are in the form of a segment of a circle as illustrated. The panel flaps 2S and 26 provide transverse partitions for the tray.

The long panels 15 and 16 also each have a lateral extension panel 31 and 32 on the same side of the strip defined by fold lines 33 and 34 that are coaxial with the fold lines 23 and 24. These panels provide outer double bottom wall sections with the inner bottom wall sections, that is, panels 21 and 22, and single bottom wall sections for the intermediate compartments of the tray.

The extension panels 31 and 32 have triangular glue flaps or tabs 35 and 36 respectively, defined by diagonal fold lines 37 and 38, and these tabs, when the blank is folded, are secured to the extension panels 21 and 22 as will more fully appear hereinafter.

The extension panels 31 and 32 each terminate in a composite panel fiap 39 and 40 respectively of oval rectangular configuration defined by fold lines 41 and 42 coaxial with the fold lines 27 and 28. Each composite panel flap consists of a rectangular portion indicated at 43 and 44, and an oval or fish-tail section 45 and 46 respectively. These sections are defined in part by a combined cut-out portion 47 and slit 48.

After such a single die-cut and scored blank is provided, it is run through a straight line folding and gluing machine where it is folded as shown in Fig. 2, that is, the extension panels 31, 21, 32 and 22, with their attached fiaps 39, 25,

it? and 26 being over-folded upon the strip 11 and upon the long and short panels thereof, namely, 15, 17, 16 and 18 respectively. At the same time, triangular glue flaps 35 and 36 are folded back upon panels 31 and 32 respectively and glue applied thereto, as well as to the glue flap 119. The panel 22 is then folded around the fold line 14 upon the panel 32, the glue flap 36 being adhered thereto, and the panel 31 is folded around the fold line 13 upon the panel 21, the glue flap 35 being adhered thereto. At the same time the glue flap 19 is secured to the short panel 18 so that the tray is in its final collapsed form for shipping, as shown in Fig. 3. It will be observed that the oval sections 45 and 46 of the composite panels 39 and 4t overlie each other. When received by the user, pressure is applied at opposite corners as indicated by the arrows at 59 and 51 in Fig. 3, and the carton squared. During this operation, the fish-tail or oval shaped sections will move in opposite directions, penetrating the apertures 29 and 30, and upon being finally squared, the tops of the apertures will settle into the notches 47 and slits 48 to be Patented Mar. 19, 1957 secured imposition. The. rectangular. sections 43 and 4.4 will lie contiguous each other to form a double wall section of the longitudinal partition to provide two intermediate compartments and. the. ovalshaped sections 45 and46 will each complete the longitudinal partition to form a single Wall providing the end compartments. Such a tray may be erected with speed and facility to provide six compartments and, when filled with a selected commodity, can'be covered in any suitable manner, by preferably a sheet of transparent material, such as cellophane.

It will thus be seen that the objects hereinbefore set forth may readily and eflicientlybe attained, and since certain changes may be made in the above article and difierent embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of. the generic and specific fea tures of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A single die-cut and scored elongated'blank of paperboard material for use in folding and securing the same into a six-compartment, rectangularly shaped,-automatically erectable tray; said blank constituting an elongated strip having transverse fold lines dividing the same into alternately arranged long and short panels respectively to provide side and end Walls, terminating at one end in a tab for securing the same to the opposite end of said strip when over-folded along the outer of said fold lines; said short panels each having a latera1 extension panel along one side only of said strip defined by coaxial fold lines to provideinner bottom Wall sections for opposite end compartments of said tray; said extension panels each terminating in a panel flap defined by coaxial fold lines, bisected by holes intermediate the longitudinal edge of said panels and flaps, in parallel spaced relation from said first coa'xialfold lines to provide transverse partitions for said tray; and said long panels also each having a lateral ex tension panel along one side only of said strip defined by fold lines, coaxial with said first named coaxial fold lines, to provide outer double bottom Wall sections with said inner bottom wall sections, and single bottom wall sections for intermediate compartments ofrsaid tray, and having triangular tabs, formed by diagonal score lines, to be secured to said bottom wall sections when so folded; said last named extension panels each terminating in a composite panel flap of oval-rectangular configuration defined by fold lines, coaxial with said second named coaxial fold lines, to provide a composite longitudinal partition section for said tray, each of said holes adapted to be penetrated by an oval portion of each said composite panel flap to extend in opposite directions'to provide'a single wall longitudinal partition for the end compartments to overlie the inner and outer bottom wall sections, and said rectangular portions'of said composite longitudinal partition to be disposed in face-to-face relation to provide a double wall longitudinal partition for the intermediate compartments to overlie the single bottom wall portion, when the same is squared into tray formation.

2. A collapsible tray, comprising a 'single blank of paper-board material, die-cut and having fold lines to provide side and end walls, a bottom, longitudinal and transverse partitions, and securing means, which blank, when over-folded upon itself and secured, can automatically be opened to form six compartments; said blank having an elongated strip with transverse fold lines dividing the same into alternately arranged long side Walls and shorter end walls, and terminating at one end in a securing tab; said end walls each having a lateral extension panel along one side only of said strip and overfolded thereon to provide inner bottom wall sections for opposite end compartments of said tray; said extension panels each terminating in a panel flap, defined by coaxial fold lines, bisected, by holes intermediate the longitudinal edges of said panels and flaps, parallel 'to the free edge of said strip'when so over-folded, and extending laterally therebeyond, to provide oppositely disposed transverse partitions for said tray; and said long side Walls also each having a lateral extension panel along one side only of said strip over-folded thereon to provide outer double bottom wall sections with said inner bottom wall sections, and single bottom wall sections for intermediate compartments of said tray; said last named extension panels each terminating in a composite panel flap having oval-rectangular portions defined by fold lines coaxial with said first named coaxial fold lines, to

provide longitudinal partition sections for said tray; said last named extension panels having triangular glue flaps, formed by diagonal foldllines, over-folded thereon; said over-folded portions being again over-folded along opposite fold lines on, said strip with the oval portions of said composite panels overlying each other, said securing tab being secured to the opposite end of said strip, and the triangular glue flaps being secured to the end wall extension panels forming the inner bottom wall sections, each of said holes adapted to be penetrated by an oval portion or" each said composite panel flap to extend in opposite directions to provide a single wall longitudinal partition for the end compartments to overlie the inner.

and outer bottom Wall sections, and said rectangular portions of said composite longitudinal partition to be disposed in face-to-face relation to provide a double wall longitudinal partition for the intermediate compartments to overlie the single bottom wall portion, when the same is squared into tray formation,

3. An elongated, rectangular six-compartment tray, comprising a single blank of paper-board material, diecut, folded around score lines, secured together and squared from collapsed to automatic open tray position; said blank constituting said tray comprising an elongated strip having transverse fold lines providing opposite elongated side walls and shorter end Walls secured at one corner by a connecting tab; said end walls each having inwardly extending panels at their bottom edges providing. inner bottom wall sections for opposite endcompartments of said tray; said inner bottom wall sections each having upstanding panel flaps at their ends defined by transverse score lines to provide'transverse partitions, and each partition and inner bottom wall section having holes bisecting said transverse score lines providing openings at right angles to each other; and said side walls each having inwardly extending panels at their bottom edges providing outer double bottom Wall sections with said inner bottom Wall sections for end compartments,

and single bottom wall sections for intermediate compartments, of said tray, and having triangular tabs provided by diagonalfold lines, connected to said inner bottom wall sections; said last named panels each having an upstanding composite flap constituting oval-rectangular portions to provide longitudinal partition sections, said rectangular portion of each composite flap lying contiguous each other and forming a double Wall longitudinal partition portion overlying said single bottom Wall section to provide said intermediate compartments, and.

said oval portions of each composite flap extending'in opposite directions, each penetrating said openings to provide a single wall longitudinal partition portion overlying thedoublc'wall bottom section to form opposite end compartments for said tray. 7

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,450,941 Crane Oct. 12, 1948 Buttery May '4, 1954 

